Chapter 137 The Prince's Double Standard Behavior
Aunt Wang said to Lin Qingyue, "I don't know whether that girl is dead or alive. I later went to the Xuanjing Division to inquire, and they said that Master Lin hadn't returned, so I didn't dare say anything. I never thought that today, I would have the honor of meeting Master."
"Just now, outside, with so many people watching, I didn't dare say much, so I had to swallow my pride and keep inviting you in for tea. Fortunately, Lord Lin is smart and doesn't mind my dirty place."
What she didn't say was that when she was being ridiculed, she had actually made a gamble in her heart. If Lin Qingyue had ignored her and left, she would have pretended that it had never happened and saved herself the trouble.
Lin Qingyue unfolded the torn hem of her skirt. Although the blood had dried, the words were still clearly visible:
[There is a traitor in the Xuanjing Division colluding with the Li family]
The handwriting is a bit sloppy, and it is obvious that it was written in a hurry.
Lin Qingyue looked at it and frowned slightly.
Is there a spy in the Xuanjing Division? Who is it? So Hongyao discovered this, so she didn't turn herself in, and instead ended up getting herself killed?
When Dongfang Qi was assassinated a year ago, he also suspected that there was a traitor in the Xuanjing Division. However, they later secretly investigated and found no clues. This shows how well the other party is hiding.
Lin Qingyue collected her thoughts, put the blood letter in her arms, and took out a silver ingot from her sleeve and placed it on the table.
"I can't give you this white jade hairpin, but the silver is compensation."
Aunt Wang waved her hands hurriedly, "This jade hairpin was originally given to you. I have absolutely no intention of keeping it for myself. You are a good official. If you can, please save that girl."
She clutched the corner of her clothes, feeling somewhat guilty: "Holding this hairpin always makes me feel uneasy. I dream every night that I am being chased. I didn't mean to drive her out that night, it was really..."
Lin Qingyue said, "You were powerless to save her that night, so don't blame yourself. It's a great favor for you to bring these words to me. If you run into trouble in the future, you can find me at the Xuanjing Division. This matter ends here with you. Remember not to mention it to anyone, or you'll bring yourself into danger."
Aunt Wang said hurriedly, "I know the seriousness of the matter and would never dare to say anything nonsense!"
When Lin Qingyue came out from Aunt Wang's place, there were still quite a few people peeking out from outside the alley.
Lin Qingyue cast a fierce look at him: "Are you all so free?"
Those heads quickly shrank back.
After leaving the Seventh Street Neighborhood, Lin Qingyue did not return to the Xuanjing Division, but went straight to the East Palace.
East Palace.
Dongfang Qi has not been in charge of government for more than a year. Now that he has returned, there are naturally a lot of things waiting for him to deal with.
He spent the entire morning in the East Palace meeting with his staff to discuss politics.
At noon, a subordinate came to report that someone from the Xuanjing Division wanted to see him.
Dongfang Qi's first reaction was that Lin Qingyue had arrived, so he hurried out of the palace to greet her, but the person he saw was Xie Shouzheng.
Xie Shouzheng was very excited: "Your Highness, why did you come out to greet me in person? This makes me feel embarrassed."
Although he said sorry, he glanced at the aides around the prince with pride: Even if I am not on duty in the Eastern Palace now, you guys can never replace my position in His Highness's heart!
Dongfang Qi was instantly disappointed: "Xiao Hui, why are you here? When did the Xuanjing Division become so idle?"
Xie Shouzheng said, "Isn't it time for dinner? I thought your Highness would be eating soon, so I'll have dinner with you. Hehe, I haven't eaten at the East Palace for a long time, I miss it."
Dongfang Qi said, "Come here, pack up a portion of today's lunch for Master Xie to take away."
Xie Shouzheng asked, "Why bother packing it up when it's ready, when it's better to eat it right away?"
Dongfang Qi said, "I still have some government affairs to attend to, so we'll eat later. Xiao Hui, you should go back first. As the chief official, if you leave the government affairs unattended and come out to ask for money mid-office, it will be bad for your reputation as an official."
Xie Shouzheng did not feel embarrassed when he was rejected. He simply thought that His Highness was considering him in every way.
"Your Highness, you are right. I will go back and eat. Oh, by the way, are you free tonight? Let's have dinner together."
Dongfang Qi turned and went in: "I am very busy and have no time."
Xie Shouzheng scratched his head and said, "That's a pity. Deputy Envoy Lin has been conferred the title of Prince and wants to treat all the brothers in our yamen to a meal. I also wanted to invite Your Highness to join in the fun. Since you are not free, then..."
Dongfang Qi paused when he heard this and said, "Where are we going to eat? I haven't seen the brothers from Xuanjingsi for a long time."
Xie Shouzheng said, "Tianxiang Restaurant, the best restaurant in the capital. Hey, Your Highness, didn't you just say you were busy?"
Dongfang Qi said calmly, "There's still time if we squeeze in. Since you've asked me to, I'll go."
When Xie Shouzheng left, he was carrying the food he had packed from the East Palace, his face full of smiles: Your Highness really values me the most. He is so busy that he still attends the Xuanjingsi party to give me face.
Dongfang Qi had just walked into the hall and was about to discuss matters with his staff when someone came to report, "Your Highness, someone from the Xuanjing Division wants to see you!"
Dongfang Qi was a little impatient: "Xiao Hui is really clingy like a dog. He left and came back, but I don't know what he wants to do!"
He was about to say goodbye.
The servant said, "Then I will refuse Prince Chaolan's offer."
"Wait, who did you say is here?" Dongfang Qi reacted and angrily kicked his subordinate. "When did you become like that bastard Xie Shouzheng? Can't you speak clearly? Hurry up and invite Prince Chao Lan in!"
Lin Qingyue was led to the main hall of the East Palace by the palace servants. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, Dongfang Qi came out to greet her.
He was dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with a pattern of soaring dragons and auspicious clouds embroidered on the collar, and a white jade crown on his head that shone softly. He looked elegant yet understated, cool yet not aloof.
When he saw Lin Qingyue, he smiled slightly, and his whole body became more gentle.
"Why are you here? Please take a seat - someone come and serve tea! It's noon now, have you eaten yet?"
When Lin Qingyue faced Dongfang Qi, she didn't say too many pleasantries and said straight to the point, "I had something to talk to you about. I didn't have time to eat."
"It just so happens that I haven't eaten yet, so let's eat and talk at the same time." Dongfang Qi ordered someone to serve the food.
Lin Qingyue glanced at the people around the Crown Prince. Before she could say anything, the Crown Prince ordered his staff, "All of you go down first. I have something to discuss with Prince Chaolan."
When there were no outsiders in the hall, Lin Qingyue handed Hong Yao's blood letter to Dongfang Qi and told him what she had learned from Aunt Wang.
After reading the blood letter, Dongfang Qi's expression was solemn. "I wanted to tell you about the Donglin Mansion case. Miao Dong committed suicide the very night he was escorted back to the capital."
"Although a confession had been made, there was no witness. Furthermore, Duke Li, as expected, pinned all the blame on the deceased Li Duo. Therefore, this case shouldn't be held against Duke Li. At most, he'll be held responsible for failing to raise his son properly, and he'll need to reflect on his mistakes for a few days."
"This is similar to our previous expectations. As for Hong Yao - based on what you said, she must have seen someone from the Xuanjing Division colluding with the Li family, so she was targeted."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
